Rotary switch and switching system



July 4, 1933. T. G. LE cLAiR Er AL 1,916,844

ROTARY SWITCH AND SWITCHING SYSTEM v .eww

July 4, 1933. T. G, LE CLAIR Er AL ROTARY SWITCH AND SWITCHING SYSTEMFiled June 28, 1930 '7 Sheets-Sheet 2 July 4, 1933. r. G. LE CLAIR ETAl.

ROTARY SWITCH AND SWITGHING SYSTEM Filed June 28, 1930 '7 Sheets-Sheet 3J7 4% M i July 4, 1933. T. G. LE CLAIR Er AL 1,916,844

ROTARY SWITCH AND SWITCHING SYSTEM Filed June 28, 1930 7 Sheets-Shea?I 4July 4, 1933. r. G. LE CLAIR Er Al.

ROTARY SWITCH AND SWITCHING SYSTEM Filed June 28, 1930 '7 Sheets-Sheet 5NQ s QQ \S\ July 4, 1933. T. G. LE CLAIR ET Al. 1,916,844

ROTARY SWITCH AND SWITCHING SYSTEM Filed June 28, 1950 7 Sheets-Sheet 6July 4, 1933. T. G. LE CLAIR Er AL 1,916,844 l ROTARY SWITCH ANDSWITCHING SYSTEM Filed June 28, 1930 '7 Sheets-Sheet '7 f www PatentedJuly 4, 1933 UNITED sj'i'A'rss 'ri'rUs G. Ln CLAIR Ann CHARLES ivi.GROss, on CHICAGO, iLLiiioIs ROTARY sw'i'rcH Ann swITCHING sYscrniit`Application led June .28,

This invention relates to electric power -tor, and a mainandfa transferbus.

Consider aswitching station ofthe type provided with a main' bus, atransfer bus, and

a plurality of outgoing line circuits. lt isV customary to provide aregulator for each cir- 'cuit and to provide switching means'forconnecting each of the outgoing circuits to the main busl or to thetransfer bus at will. Switching means is also provided for feeding thetransfer bus from the main bus either regulated or unregulated asdesired and for connecting the Voutgoing line circuit to the main buseither regulated or unregulated as desired. The switching means usuallycom-A prises disconnecting switches which arev opened or closed by theoperator by means of an insulated stick. The term disconnect switches isgenerally understood to mean switches for l circuits of comparativelyhigh voltage or current and never used to interrupt .ia circuit underload, but opened only when no current is iiowing` therethrough, as forcompletely isolating la particular piece of apparatus from the line =sothat it may, for example, be linspectedor repaired7 or for af- .'fectingswitching operations between points at substantially the same voltage.`It is well known that disconnect Aswitches should not be operated underload since they areV not designed for such operation and, should suchswitch be operated under those conditions the operator is exposinghimself to a great danger and, in addition, severe damage may be done tothe switch. It is one of the objects of the present invention to sointerre lateth el -disconnect switches for obtaining the desired circuitconnect-ions that it will be impossible to obtain a wrongsequence ofoperation and wherein when the circuit is opened, the operator will notbe in danger of being burned floy the arc formed should-the circuitv bealive.

' It is a further obj ect of the present invention to provide aswitching arrangementv wherein it isY impossible for an operatortoaccidentally or erroneously ground a live bus. VThis is quite possiblein the switching sysi930. serieu No. 464,554. l

tems of the past wherein the respective dis-1` connect switcheswere eachindependent of the Y other and some disastrous results havebeen knowntofollow from such erroneous operation of the disconnect.

' lfvTe mount all of the disconnect switches upon aV single operatingshaft which, by successive actuations, `is adapted to effect 'thevarious switching arrangements. The entire switching mechanism isenclosed in a grounded casing rand is adapted to be immersed in a bathof insulating liquid within the casinglv Because of the use of` theinsulating bath the various switches may be made of smaller sizes thanwould be necessary on air break switches of the saine capacity and,because of the lfact that the device isicompletely encased, it canbeVusedequally well for either outdoor or indoor installations.

We have further invented a new contact s clip whicliisparticularly-`useful in this type of mechanism, although these contactsmay also be used on other forms of switches.. The contact comprises apair Vof contact shoes which fare adapted to receive a switch bladebetween them and which are constantly pressed into engagemei-it with oneI another by means ofs'uitable springs.- vThe contacts aremounted andelectrically connected'to a suitableframe which is preferably of achannel or U-shape and which serves' as a.

terminaljto which the electrical connections to theY contacts 'maybe'made. The-contacts are of the full floating type and are maintainedin lposition bymeans of a Vset of leaf springs or the like which willpermitthe def sired movement of the' contacts'in all direc-` tions. l

`The attainment of the above' and furtherv/o objects of the Apresentinventionivill' be apparent from .the 'following specification taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings .forming aparttliereof. i

In the drawings:

Figure 'l isa diagram illustrating thecircuit connections ofourimprovedswitch, the portions A", B, C, D,'E,1F and G illustrating thevariouscircuit Vconditions established byv the switch in its various'positions;

seY

the switching mechanism bringsl the switch blade 16 into engagement withthe contact 6. The'outgoing line 1 1s nowfbeing supplied with power.`from the main bus as follows:

,From the main bus through the circuit breaker 2 and contact 6 to theswitch blade 16, thence by way oi the connection lbetween the switchblade 16 and the blade portion 17e to the contact 7 and thence out tothe line cirthe transfer' bus.

zey

' cuit.

At the same time a circuit is established from the main bus to thetransfer bus, unregulated. Tlns circuit entends from Athe main busthrough the contact 6 and switch blade portion 185 into engagement withtheV contact 8. This will all take place before the switch blade portion17a leaves the ,con-

tact 7 due to the fact that the contacts are of a greater width than isnecessary to bridge an angular gap lsuch as indicated at 25 between Vtheswitch blade portion 17 a and the switch blade portion 15. This gap isrough- `ly 18 degrees whereas the contacts are of such a width as toextend-over approximately 28 degrees of the arc of the blade. After thswitch blades 15 and 185 have engaged their respective contactand beforethe switch blade 17a has left its contact 7 there are no circuit changesover that shown in sketch D except that the regulator isconnectedbetween the points 6 and 7 of sketch D, said regulator beingshort circuited. circuit between the contacts and 8 extends as followsFrom the switch blade V through the common connection to the bladeportion 17a, thence through the contact 7 and conductor 21 whichconnected to the three electrically connected blades, to the bladeportion 185 that is in engagement with the contact 18. As soon as theswitch blade portion 17e leaves the contact 17 upon further movement ofthe switching device this short circuit across the regulator is openedand the regulator is connected in circuit as shown in the sketch E.fUnder these conditions the outgoing line circuit is being fed from themain'bus through the regulator, and the transferbus is also being fedfrom the main bus through the regulator. Upon further movement of theswitching device the switch blade 19 will disengage the contact 9 whilethe switch blades 15, 16 and 185 are still in enyFrom the main bus,through the oil switch The short 2 and the contact 6 to the blade 16,thence by4 way of the blade 15 and the contact 5 through the regulatorto the contact 8 which is still in engagement with the switch bladeportion 185, thus establishing a connection through the conductor 21 tothe Vcontact 7 and out^l through the line 1.` Aty this time .the contact9 is not in engagement with-the switch bladeV 19, hence the transfer busis not connectedv in circuit by thisswit'ching device although it is tobe understood thatat the same time another switching device such as thedevice S may be in arposition to connect the main bus to the transferbus over a circuit such as is shown in sketch D or in sketch E. Uponfurther movement of the controller the switch blade portion 175 `willengage the contact 7 be.-`

fore the blade 15 disengages the contact 5 and before the blade portion185 disengages the contact 8.

respective contacts, a short circuit is estab- As soon as the switchblade p0rtion 175 engages the contact 7 and beforeV the blade portions15 and 185 disengage their lished across the contacts 5 and 8 asfollows:

From the contact 5 through the blade 15 to theblade 17 5 and the contact7, thence by way of the conduct-or Q'lto the blade portion 18,5 which isAin engagement with the contact 8. .A moment later the' switch blade 15and the switch lblade portion 185 move out of engagement with theircontact. ly serves to disconnect from the ycircuit shown at F theregulator, which was previously short circuited. at Gin Figure 1 is nowestablished. 1n this circuit the outgoing line `1 is being fed directlyfrom the main bus without the regulator. This circuit extends from themain bus,

through the oil circuit breaker 2 and the contact 6A to the switch blade16, thence byway of the switch blade portion 175, which is permanentlyconnected to the switch blade 16, to

rThis mere-.

A circuit such as is shown'- the contact 7 which is vthe terminal forthe l line circuit 1. troller for moving .the switching device isprevented by the provision of a stop which is engaged before the switchblade 16 leaves its contact 6.l e l Y l/ilhen the switching device hasbeen moved to itsextreme' position so as to obtain the reverse directionas desired. From the above" Further movement of the condescription itmay be seen that we. have de-" Y vised a switching mechanism and circuitconnections whereby it is possible to effect the` connection orAdisconnection of a regulatort'o an outgoing circuitwithout interruptingthev y outgoing circuit and also to establish connections to a main busor to a transfer bus or `to lprovide interconnection between the linelcircuit. Y

buses-all Without interrupting' the outgoing VReference may now be larlyto Figures 2 to 7, showing the construction of a switching device'embodying the principles Vof our invention. Theswitching i device ismounted in a tank e which cointion if desired. The square shaft isi'oundf prises a bottom 41,`transverse sides e2 `and 43, andlongitudinal sides la Vand 45. The

tank isv also provided with a covered whichv may be bolted or otherwiseremovably secured to the top of the tank :and'i'or this purpose vangleirontra-ine members 17 are` A switch base 50, formed of slate or othersuit-.

secured to the edgesof the sidewalls.

An operating' shattGO is rotatably mounted within the casing fr0; Vllhisswitch sha't is made oi wood or other suitab-leinsulating material andis preferably of a square section although it may be of any other secedadjacent its 'two vends and it is supported y by means vof [bearings insuitable supports.

vrl`he supports herein shown each comprise anuprig-ht channel shapedmember 63 having` a central opening therein ythrough which the `shaft 60extends, said supporting" inember being braced by means-of two braces(ie-Glvthat extend between the base 50 and' the tlanges of the channel68. Y

- Bars 68 and 69 are secured to one :or more sides of the switch shaft60. The bars 68 connect the rthree blade members 15, 16 and 17 whilethebars 6`9'connect the three blade members 18, 1.0 and 20, said. two setsoic blades being yinsulated `from one another by the portion of theoperating shat't which is ini dicated at 68 and which does Vnot have anystrips such as '68 or 69 Vextendingthereover,

The switch blades 15 to 20, inclusive, each comprise a disc portion ofcopper or other suitable metal, said blades being provided with acentral square opening Awhereby the blades may be mounted upon theopera-ting shaft 60. Thefblades are secured to theshaiit byrmeans ofsuitable angle brackets (SSV-'69A which arebolted to th-e operatingshaft and also to the 'switchA blades. Suitable angle brackets 7 070serve to further 'secure the blades to the shaft andJalso to therespective conducting strips'68 vand 69.

g |lhe'construction ot one of the contact blade Y members isshown inFigure 7; `ln this iig'- uie we 'liave'showm 4for illustrative purposes,

had more particu-- rlhis base may be mounted the blade member 117e Thisblade consists of a plate which may be about vone-eighth of an inchthick, although other sizes maybe used it'l desired, and is providedwith a square hole for mounting it uponA the switch shaft. The blade islprovided-with two contacting portions indicated at 17 a and 17?)respectively, said contacting portions being of Gliderrent sizes inorder to obtain they desired se-f quence ot connection with its contact7 (Figures 1 and 8) The portion 17a is shown as extendingthrough an areof approximately 95 Adegrees whereas the portion 17?) extends throughan'arc oil-approximately 45 degrees, these arcuate portions beingproperly spaced witlirespect to the squareho-l-e to procure the 'desiredrelationship uponthe switch operating shaft. The blade is provided withsets of liol-es `to acilitateinounting of the bladessaid holes beingadapted to receive bolts, rivets or the like or'connecting the lade tothe angle members 69 and .70. i The side wall te O' the switch casing 40is provided withsix spaced openings in which are mounted sii: lowtension transformer entrance bushings indicated at 81 to 86, inclusive.vConductors 88 extend through the respective bushings for extending acircuit into the casing. VThe transformer entrance bushings are/providedwith insulating portions both inside and outside of the wall le of theswitch *housing and suitable connectors 87 are bolted or otherwisesecured to the portion Voi the conductors 88 within thehou'sing', saidconnectors being secured to the con-l ductor portion 88 by means ofsuitable nuts 89-89. The connector members 87 consist in general ofL-,shaped copper bars that extend beneath the slate base 50 and aresecured thereto `and to the corresponding contacts to 10 respectively bymeans ofbolts 92 which extend lthrough suitable openings in the slatebase 50 and are threaded into openings in the base-of the contactsuppgrting frames to be presently described. f 1

Reference may now be'had 'more' partie`A ul'ariy to Figures 5 and Gshowing the construction of oneol the switch contacts such as thecontacts5 to 10 with which the switch 'blades are adapt-ed tovcontact.rl`he contact comprises a traine 101 ot'afchannel-shaped orU-shapedgsection. rlhe' base of the frame is -iiidicatedat 102 andtheflanges are indicated atA 108 and- 104 respectively. rl`he. base oi'web' 102 is provided with two tapped holes `and 107 for receivingthebolts '92 for rigidly mounting the contact upon the slate base 50v andtor establishing an electric cir-- cuit between the contacting strap 87and the contact.` The traine 101 .is madeof copper'or other suitablemetal of high conductivitydas are also the screw members 92.\Y A pair ofcontact shoes and 111 are disposed between the iianges 103 and 104: fofthe frame 101. Each of the Contact shoes is :made of copper tubingthrough which a flexible braided conductor 114 is extended, the tubingbeing thereafter flattened upon itself in a suitable press to compressthe tubing upon the flexible conductorl and to present a fiat contactingsurface on one side. A. pair of flat leaf springs 116 and 117 which arebent in a y generally "L5-shape are secured to the opposite ends of thecontact shoes and 111 by means ofrivets or the like as indicated at 118.Each of the. rivets 118 passes through holes in the respective contactshoesA from t-lie rear thereof and serves to secure the web portion ofthe U-shaped spring tothe contact. The ends of each of the rivets 118adjacent the front face 115 of the contactare preferably made flat so asnot to interfere with the sliding movement of the blade between thecontact shoes during the opening or closing of the switch. Tofacilitate' this the rivet holes in the contact shoes are preferablycountersunk. The opposite ends of the springs 116 and 117 are free andare guided between two strips of metal 120 and 121 that are secured tothe anges of the frame 101 by means of suitable rivets or screws 122.The inner strips 121 may be omitted if desired since the outer strips120 effectively hold the springs against side movement. The ends of thebraided conductors 114 have suitable terminals 125 secured thereto.These terminals may comprise merely short lengths of tubing of copper-orthe like into which the ends of the flexible braided conductors arepassed and which are thereafter compressed upon the ends of theconductors by pressing the same in a suitable press. The terminals`125are removably secured to the Contact frame 101 by means of suitablebolts 12(5126 that extend through suitable openings formed in theterminals 125 and are threaded into suitable openings in the flanges 103and 104. The-bolts 126 are preferably, although not necessarily, formedof'copper or other suitable metal of high electrical conductivity.` Theends of the contact shoes 110 and 111 are curved away fromv one anotheras indicated at 12S-128 in order to facilitate the movement of a switchblade ybetween the two contact slices. `The springs 116 and 117constantly urge the twor contact shoes toward one another so that theircon-v tacting faces are in engagement' when the switch is open. lVhen aswitch blade is moved between the contact shoes it forces the contactingshoes apartas it moves between them; rEhe springs 116 and 117maintain'the contacting shoes against the opposite sides of the switchblade and insure the maintenance of a suitable contact pressure betweenthe contactsY and the switch blade. lt is to be noted that the contactshoes are freely floating and may readily adjust themselves to `anyangular displacement of the switch blade, should this be necessary. y

Referring now more particularly to Figures 2 and 3 we shall explain howthe conductor 21 (Figure 1) is connected between the contact 7 and theswitch blades 18,- 19, .and 20. The conductor 21 takes the form of labar of copper or the like which is placed above, the L-shaped connector87 that extends to the third switch contact from the left, that is theContact 7. The bolts 92 which connect this connector strap 87 withthecontact 7 and whichsecure the contact 7 to the slate base 50 aretherefore made slightly longer than are the bolts providedl for theother contacts. T his copper strap 21 extends along the bottom of theslate base 50 to the righthand side thereof where it connects with anupwardly'extending flexible braided. copper conductor 143 ,havingsuitable terminals at both ends thereof which is connected at one end tothebar o-f copper 69 by means lof'a suitable bolt 145 and is connectedat its other end to the strap 21 by means of a copper bolt or the like,therebyestablishing a connection between the contact 7 and thethreeSuitable protecttended end being indicated at inFigure A'suita'blehandle 156 is provided for rotating the shaft to actuate the switchblades. Beveled lugs -160 are mounted-in pairs upon the end wall 42,said lugs being located in a circle about thc shaft portion 155'as acenter. These lugs are provided for bringing the handle to rest atdenitely located positions, the corresponding positions of thev switchblades, as indicated at A to G in Figure 1, are indicated oppositeeachof the sets of lugs upon the side wall 42 of the switch housing.

The switch casing is filled with oil or otherV suitable insulatingliquid to a level appreciably above the top of the contacts 5 to 10,

inclusive, so that any arc that may be drawn betweenthe correspondingswitch blades will be quenched in the liquid. For this reason it isnecessary tomake the switch vcasing oil tight. Aplugged hole is providedat the bottom of the side wall 42 for facilitatingthe draining of theswitch casing.

Reference may now be had toour mechanism. rl`his switch mechanismcomprises a top orl cover' casting 200 from which the entire switchoperating parts including the blades, as well as the contacts, aremounted. This cover vcasting may be FiguresS to 11, inclusive, showing amodified form of .Y

l A secured on the outside ofthe tank 201.

' Five terminal bushings 211 to 215 extend into the switch casing fromthe cover. Each terminal bushing comprises an insulator bushing 217which extcndsthrough an opening in the cover casting 200, and issuitably supported from the cover to prevent the entrance of moisture orother foreign matterinto the casing. A suitable gasket 218 may beprovided forthis. purpose. A conductor 220 extends through the`insulator 217,

. the space ybetween the conductor and the insulator being filled with asuitable compound indicated at 221. A terminal clip 222 is connected tothe conductor 220 on the outside of the switch mechanism, and acontactis mounted upon this conductor on the inside of the switch mechanism.The terminal bushings 211 to 215 are of a similar construction. Thisswitching mechanism is adapted to establish electrical connectionsbetween a Y main bus, a transfer bus, a regulator7 an outgoing linecircuit, and ground in manner analogous to that of the switchpreviouslydescribed. To accomplish this end the terminal 222 at the end of theconductor in the bushing 211 is connected to the outgoing line v circuitcorresponding to the circuit 1 of Figure 1. IThe contact at the end ofthe conductor that extends through the bushing 211 therefor correspondsto the contact 7 of Figure 1 and will therefore be referred to ascontact .7. rlhe terminal at the end of the conductor within the bushing212 is connected to one sideof an oil circuit breaker, the opposite sideof the oil circuit breaker being L connected to the main bus as shown inFigure 1` The Contact at the end of the conductor within thebushing 212therefore corresponds to the'contact 6 of Figure 1 and will therefore bereferred to as contact 6. manner the terminals at the outer end of the1n a like conductors extending through the bushings V213 and 215 areconnected tothe opposite sidesL of a regulator. .The contacts mountedwithin the housing and at the ends of the conductors extending throughthe bushings 213 and 215 therefore correspond to the contacts 5 and 8respectively of Figure 1 and will therefore be referred to as 5 and .8respectively. rlhe terminal on the outer side H of the conductor thatextends through the bushing 21A is connected to the transfer bus and thecontact within the switch housing and at the opposite end ofY thisconductor therefore corresponds to the contact 9 of Figure 1 and willtherefore be-referred toas contact 9. A grounding terminal 225 isprovided on the top of the casting 2007 said terminal being connectedwithin the switch housing to a suitable contact which correresponds tothe grounding contact 10 of Figure 1 and will therefore be referred toVas the contact 10. The contacts 5 to 10 inclusive may be of anypreferred construction and as shown comprise two spring pressed Contact`shoes in enoa ement with the on aositefaccs C L Y of the switch blade.

A square shaft 2A() of suitable insulating material is rotatably mountedwithin the switch casing, said shaft being supported by two brackets 241and 242 extending downwardly from the cover casting 200 and providedwith a split bearing 24h11.V The ends of the shaft 240 that are withinthe bearing portion 2411 are rounded and are provided with a metalcollar to facilitate the turning of the shaft within the bearings. Thebracket supports 2411 and 242 are substantially triangular, the base ofthe triangle being bolted or otherwise suitabiysecured to the under sideof the cover casting 200.

A circular switch blade 250 is mounted upon the shaft 240 so as to berotated vtherewith. This may be accomplished by providing a 'collar l251which is keyed tothe shaft and which is provided with a flange 252 towhich the switch blade 250- may be bolted. This blade extends through anarc of approximatelyv 155 degrees and is adapted to succes-v sivelyengage .the contacts 5', 6 and 7. These contacts are located in the sameplane and are spaced approximately degrees apart,v as may be seen inFigure 8. Upon rotation of the switch blade 250 in a counterclockwisedirection'as seen in Figure 8, this blade is adapted to -disengage fromthe contact .7 before the opposite end thereof engages the Contact 5.

A switch blade 260 comprising blade portions 26065 and 2605 is mountedupon the shaft 240 in spaced insulated relationship to the switch blade250. This blade, may be mounted in'place by means of a collar 261 whichis'keyed to the shaft 240 and is provided with flanges 262 to which theblade sections may be bolted or otherwise rigidly secured. The Contactportion 2605 may be of a'width of approximately 65 degrees and thecontact portion 260e be of about the same width. These contacts may bespaced oppositely one another, that is, with their center lines 180degrees apart. These blades are adapted to be moved into and out-ofengagement with the Contacts 8 and 9. When Vactuating mechanism.

the switch is in the position shown in the drawings the conta-ct portion260e is in engagement with the contact 9 but the contactV collar is madeof copper or other meta-l of.

high electrical conductivity thereby placing the blade 270 in constantelectrical connection with the blade 260.` The blade 270 is adapted tobe moved into and out of engagement with the grounded contact 10', whichis located as shown in Figure 9 and directly in back of the contact 6 ofFigure 8. The switch blade 270 is of a small size extending through anarc of approximately 20 degrees and disposed as shown in Figure 11 so asto engage the grounded contact 10 upon al rotation of the shaft 240through an angle of approximately 27 0 degrees from the position sho-wnin the drawings.` 1 The contact 7 is permanently electricallyv connectedto the collar 261 by means of a flexible braided conductor 275 that isconnected at one end to the stud at the end of the conductor 220 uponwhich the contact 7 is mounted, said conductor 275 being connected atits opposite end to the copper collar 261.7A

For this purpose the conductor 275 may be provided with a terminal lug276 comprising a copper tube, flattened upon the flexible braidedconductor. This terminal lug may be bolted or otherwise rigidly securedto the collar 261 and in firm electrical contact therewith. Thisconductor 275 corresponds to the conductor 21 shown in the circuitdiagram of Figure 1. Therelative location of the contacts 5 to 10'..inclusive, and of the cor-- responding switch blades 250, 260 and 270 isillustrated diagrammatically in Figure 12. When the shaft 240 is rotatedto rotate the switch blades the various circuit connections, to be morefully explained the description proceeds, areset up.

The portion of the shaft that extends beyond the bracket 242 is providedvwith a sprocket 280 which is in mesh with a sprocket chain 281 thatextends around an actuating sprocket 282 mounted upon an actuating shaft288. The shaft 288 is supported in a suitable bearing 284 'formed liu-ahousing at the top of the cover casting 200. Anactuating mechanism 285is secured to the cover casting, sait shaft 288 extending into this Agear 286 is keyed to the shaft 288 and is in mesh with a pinion 287supported upon a stud 288 and adapted to be driven by an electric motor290 which may be controlled from a remoteV point. The end of the shaft288 extends outsideof thehousing 285 and is provided with a pointer 291which is keyed thereto and moves over an indicator'292, which has sevenindications thereon indicating' the seven positions which this shaft 288may assume. These seven positions correspond ,to the positions A to G ofFigure 1` and indicate the various circuits that are established whenthe shaft 288 is in the-corresponding positions. The shaft 240 is'rotated through anangle of 45 degrees between successive positions asis alsothe shaft 283 although' it is apparent that a stepup gear ratiomay be provided between the gears 280 and 282 so that the shaft 288 maymove through a different angle fora 1-5 degree movement of the shaft240. The end of the shaft 288 is provided with a square hole into whichan operating handlemayfbe inserted to turn the shaft 283 independentlyof the motor 290 when it is desired to actuate .the switching mechanismby hand. TheA gear 286 is provided with a. pair of projectingstops 295and 296 for limiting the extent of ,y

rotation of the gear. As shown in Figure 11, the stop 295 bears againstthe pinion 287 and prevents further rotation of the gear 286 in aclockwise direction. ,Counter-clockwise rotation of this gear is howeverpermissible until the stop 296 bearsagainst the opposite side of thepinion, thereby limiting the eX- tent of. permissible rotation in thecounter- V clockwise direction. i'

The tank 201 is provided with a cappedopening298 for facilitating theiilling of the tank with oil or other insulating'liquid used. The tankis filled with `oil or other suit-able insulatingliquid to a level 299v(Figure 9) thereby completely submerging the blades as well as thecontacts in the bath of insulating liquid. A plug 800 is provided forfacilitating the drainingof the tank. In addition the tank is providedwith handles 801 and 802-(Figure to facilitate Vthe handling of the tankwhen the same is'beingbolted into position orbeing removed from itsposition. j f Y Reference may now be had more particularly to Figure 12showing, in diagrammatic form, the circuit connections for thecontroller `shown in Figures 8 to 11. The electrical connections are asindicated in this ligure, said connections being the same as have beenpreviously described and being substantially sim` ilar to theconnections shown in Figure 1.'

first mentioned circuit extends from the main bus through the oilcircuit breaker to the v switch contact 6', thence by way of theswitchAblade 250'to theswitch contact 7 and the circuit linel. Thesecond..mentioiied circuit extends from the contact 7 through thepermanent'jumpei connection 275 previously described, to the collar 261which connects the switch blade 260 with the switch blade 270, thecircuit then extends fromthe switch blade section 260e through thecontact 9 to the transfer bus. .This circuit corresponds to the circuitD of Figure 1. Fromthis posi'- tion the controller can be moved only inthe counter-clockwise direction since the stop 295 ,(Figure 11) preventsclockwise rotation from this position. -The successive cir-cuitpositions are obtained by rotating the switchr blades through 45 degreeangles. Upon the irst'45 degree rotation of the switch blades, the blade250 still maintains a connection between the contact 6 andthe contact 7thus maintaining the connection between the main bus and the outgoingline. The blade portion 2606i, however, is moved out of engagement withthe contact 9 thereby breaking the connection between the main bus andthe transfer bus. The circuit nowestablished Figure 1.'

corresponds '.to the circuit G Volf g 4Upon the initial rotation of theswitch blade to the third position the blade 250 engages the contact 5and the blade portion 260cv engages the blade 8'., both of these bladesengaging their contact before the opposite end oit the blade 250disengages the contact 7 During this period the 'regulator isshortcirizuitedA while the circuit connection between the blade 6 and theblade 7y is uninterrupted., This short circuit connection extends fromthe contact 5 through the blade 250 to the lcontact 7, thence by way ofthe flexible conductor 275 to the blade portion 260e and the contact 8.A moment later when the controller reaches its full third position. theblade 250-moves out of engagement with the contact 7 thus removingtheshort circuit from across the regulatorV rlfhe circuit to the outgoingline conductor now extends fromV a position 185 degrees from theposition shown `in Figure 12. The blade portion 250 still maintainsconnections between the cong tact 6 and the contact 5v while the bladeportion 260e still remains in engagement with the contact 8. At thistimethe blade portion 2G06 has moved into engagement with circuit.

3 tothe contact 8.,-th'enceby Vway of the switch blade portion 260e tothe switch blade portion 2606 vin engagement with the contact 9 thatisconnected to the transfery bus.

At this time the outgoing line circuit 1 is` also` beingA fed from theinai'n bus through regulator. The circuit connections atthis timecorrespond to the circuit Eef Figure l.

iin additional 45 degree movement of the switch blade brings thebladesto aposition 180 degrees from .that shown in the drawings,4 whichis the lifth circuit position. At this time the contact 6' isnotrengaged by the blade 250, hence the mainlo-usis not in circuitthrough-the controller. The switch blade 2600i is out of engagement withthe contact 8, hence the regulator 3 is' not in the circuit. v Theoutgoing line circuit is now being fed from the transfer. bus by way oi'the switch blade portion 260?) which is in engagement with the contact9', the circuit extending from the switch blade portion- 260?) throughthe uniper 275 tothe outgoing line This circuit corresponds to thecircuit C as in Figurel.

The sixth position of the controller is the open circuit position and isobtained by rotating the. switch blade through an additional 45 degrees,that is through an angleof 225 degrees from the position shown in Figure12,

the' direction'oic rotation being counter-clockwise. is At this time allof the switch blades are out oi engagement with any of their contacts,andthe connections are shown in the sketch B of Figure 1.KV f

An additional 45. degree rotation of the switch blades in acounter-clockwise direction will'bring the blades in .a position of 270degrees from the position shown in Figure l2.

At this time the switchblade 27() engages the 110 grounded contact 10and the switch blade 260?) engages the contact 8', the blade 250engaging the Contact 7. At this time the main and the transfer bus arenot connected to their corresponding switch blades and the 1 15 circuitconnections are as shown in the sketch A. The ground potential extendsVfrom the Contact 10', through the blade 270 and the collar 261 lto theblade 2606 which is in engagement with the contact 8, the i'eby 120 Itmay be seen that the sequence of the i establishment of connections bymeans of the mechanism Vshown in 'FiguresS to 11, inclusive` issubstantially the same as is obtained by the controller shown in Figure1,diiier- 130 ing therefrom `only in that the circuit .connection show-nfat D .of Figure `l is obtained prior to the circuit G and, ift thiscircuit D were vplaced immediately'to theiright oit' the cricuit G ofFigure l then the sketches would represent the Asequence of theestablishmen of connections by the controller shown in Figures 8 to il,inclusive. `Itistodloe understood that the `sequence :of theestablishment of theconne'ctions as` shown may `be varied withoutdeparting from the spirit Foi y'our :invention. It is, however,pretera'ble to have the 'connections established in such 1 a `nia-nnerthat therev is no interruption of the line circuit l when 'switchingfrom the `main bus to the transfer bus 4or vice versa .or during .the

connection `or disconnection foi: fthe regulator 3V in the circuit.

In compliance with the requirements ofthe patent statutes we `havehei'ein `shown and deL scribed a `few preferred embodiments of ourinvention. `It is, however, --to `be understood that the invention isnot limited to the fpree.

cise embodiments herein shown, the same being merely illustrative of theinvention. Vhat we consider new and d-esirezto'secure by Letters Patentis: f

l. A switch comprising afcasing adapted to 'contain 'an insulatingliquid,` a plurality ot bushings extending into the lcasing, alineconnectiom-m ainl and transfer lbusconnectionsV and regulatorVconnections all yextending through said bushings and termina-ting inseparate contacts below` the :liquid level :inthe casing, `a switchshaft in 4the casing, and switch blades mounted on theshaft :for ren-ygagement with thefrespective contactsa-nd selectivelyestablishingcircuit connections'between them, said'swi'tch lblades andcontacts being disposed to maintain the Ycircuit `to the Contactterminating the'iirst mentioned con# nection uninterrupted during 4theVselective switching' movement ofthe shaft, theyblade engaging oneof theregulator'contacts being electrically connected to the main bus'switchblade and to the line switch blade.

2. A switch comprising a icasing adapted to contain an `insulating`liquid,,a plurality of bushings extending into thefc'asing, a-lineconnection, main and transferlous connections and regulator Aconnectionsall extending through saidbushings Vand Iterminating in separatecontactsfbelow the liquid level inthe casing, Aa fswitch shaft inthecasing, `switch blades mounted on the shaft for engagement with thefrespectivecontacts yand selectively establishing circuitconnections-betweenrthem, said switch blades andvcontacts-beingdisposedto maintain the circuit to the contacttermi'- natingthe rstmentionedconnection uninterrupted du'ring Athe *selectivef switchingmovement of the shaft,`the blade engaging one of the regulator contactsbeing electrically connected to the main bus switch blade and to theline switch blade, and the blade engaging the other regulator Contactbeing electrically connected tothel transfery bus :switch blade.

3. An oil switch comprising a'rotatable shaft., :a switchblade mountedon the shaft, a qrilifirality ci bushing structures extending intothe-switch, contacts carried by .the re-l ,.fe .bushingsE said switch'blade 'being movable and lbeingadapted to establish elec -tricalconnections 'between ythe contacts, another switch blade mounted ontheshatt and insulated from the first mentionedv switch blade, anelectrical connectionv within the switch between one et thecontacts and.the second mentioned switch blade, a second set of bushings extendingintothe switch and carrying ycontact-s'adapt-ed vto be vinterconnected:by the second mentioned blade, said shaft being movable `tosimultaneously actuate` .both

blades, andra :bath of insulating liquid im` mersingathe blades yand thecontact.

4. A switchcomprislng a casing, a plurality of bushings extendingvgintosaid i'casing; a

Erst conductonsecond and third conductors, a ,pairiof seriesconnectedconductorsieach eX- tending linto said casing through,different ones otv the bushings; contacts tenminating each .of theconductors and-cooperating ywith the contacts, switching means forestablishingy connectionsbetweenithe first conductor and the secondconductor, switching `means `for establishing connections betweenIthe'iirst con.'- ductor Aand the rthird conductor, and @switchingmeansfor including land excluding'the series connected conductorsin one :ofsaid connections and tor establishing or ydisestablishing :a connectionbetween the second land thezthird yconductors through the ,seriesconnected conductors `or independently thereof at lwill g saidthreementioned switching'means comprising a switch shaft, and a pluralityfofbladesfmounted onfthe switch/shattcand'angulady-:disposed with`respectfto one anotherfto maintaiiia connection between the lfirst con`ducten and oneor `the oth ery ot the two second mentioned conductors tlfoughout theswitchingfoperation. I f

i 5. Iswitch comprising a casing, a-'pluralityfof bushings; extendinginto -saidcasing a first` conductoigvsecon'd and third conductors, andaupa'ir of-series'connected,conductors each extending into-saidcasingtlirougli different vones` ofthe@bushings5y contactsterminatingeachuof-the conductors; andcooperating withthecontacts;switchingnieans:for establishing connections betweenVthefirst i conductor Land the :second conductor, switching `meansffor'establishing' connections between theirstfcon ductor and the thirdconductor, and switch# ing means for including andffexcluding c. theseries/connected conductor-s :in vonefof :said connections and-ionestablishing. lorfdisestab lishing a connection between the second andthethird conductors through the series connected conductors orindependently thereof 'aac JBO

y at will said three mentioned switching means comprising a switchshaft, and a plurality of blades mounted on the switch shaft and angu-Zlarly disposed with respect to one another to maintain a connectionbetween the iirst conductor and one or the other of the two secondmentioned conductors throughout the switching operation, and including apermanent connection between the contact terminating the first mentionedconductor and at leastone of the bladescooperating with the othercontacts. a

6. In an electric switch, a rotatably mounted shaft of yinsulatingmaterial and non-circular in cross section, two sets of switch bladesmounted on the shaft and including means embracing the shaft, aconducting bus on the shaft connecting the blades Vof one set, anotherconducting bus connecting the blades of the other set, and angle membersconnecting the blades to the respective buses and securing theblades inposition on the shaft. l

7. A single phase switch comprising a casing containing a bath ofinsulating liquid, a cover therefor, and switching means suspended fromthecove'r and depending into the insulating bath, said switching meanscomprising a rotatable shaft, a plurality of switch blades mountedthereon and laterally spaced from one another, a plurality of sets ofbushings supported by the `cover and extending into the casing, saidbushings supporting contacts adapted to be engaged by the respectiveblades, the contacts of'one set being angularly disposed andsuccessively engagedby one of the blades in its movement, and thecontacts of the other set being also angularly disposed and successivelyengaged by'another one of' the bladesin its movement, and connectionsbetween one ofv the-blades and a Contact engaged by the other blade.

V8v.' A rotary switch comprising a top structure, a pair of bracketssuspended Afrom said top, a rotary shaft supported by said brack-l ets,a plurality-of spaced arcuate shaped blade members mounted on said"shaft, .insulating bushings depending from said top structure andsupporting each a contact, said-contacts being disposed in the arc of acircle andv adapted to kbe engaged yby'one of said blades in itsdifferent positions, other insulating bushings also depending fromsaidtop structure and supporting contacts engageable by.

the other blades, operatingmeans for the shaft, said operating meansextending down# wardfromthe top structure, and a` casing suspended fromthe top structure and together ywith the. top structure enclosingthe'switch mechanism. i

9. In a systemwherein thereis a main bus, a transfer bus, an outgoingcircuit, a plurality of disconnect switches for connecting thecircuitlto either ofthe buses and for interconnecting the buses, aregulator, disconnect switches foriselectively connecting andydisconnecting theregulator in the outgoing circuit and for includingand excluding the same from the interconnection between the buses,thecombination with saidv switches of common actuating -means forsimultaneously actuating all of them, said switches being angularlydisposed with Vrespect to one another to effect the above mentionedconnections inthe various positionsfof the actuating means all withoutopening the outgoing circuit.y

' l0.- A high voltage electric system comprising a main bus, a transferbus, aline, a regulator, and means for selectively connecting the rlineto the main bus or to the transfer bus at "1L A high voltage electricsystem comprisinga main bus, a transferfbus, a line, a regui lator, andmeans for selectively connecting vtheline to the main bus or to thetransfer bus at will and for includingor excluding the regulator in oneofsaid connections at will, said means comprising a multiple circuitmultiple position vswitch establishing the various line vvconnections inits various positions, said switch being` of a circuit interruptingcapacity substantially less than required for the circuits involved, andincluding Contact making means establishing suc-K` l cessiveVl1ne=conne`ctions prior to thev opening ofthe previous connections asthe switch is 'loo moved to its successive connection positions; Y.

a'ndfand oil circuit breaker for interrupting the circuit. v L

.12. An electric system wherein' there is a first bus, a'second bus, aline, a regulator, and switching means for selectively connecting theline to either bus and forinterconnecting the buses and for Vincludingand-excluding the regulator in certain of said connections,characterizedin that the switching means comprises a multicircuitcontroller of a circuit interruptingcapacityl substantially below thatrequired for the system, and an oil Circuit breaker for interruptingthecircuit. i f

In witness whereof, we hereunto subscribe our names this twenty-fifthday of June,'A. D.

' `TiTUs o. Ln CLAIR.

CHARLES M. Gnoss

